Mohammad Hanief
Noise pollution can cause health problems for people and wildlife, both on land and in the sea. From traffic noise to rock concerts, loud or inescapable sounds can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure. Noise from ships and human activities in the ocean is harmful to whales and dolphins that depend on echolocation to survive.
Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms. Noise pollution is an invisible danger. It cannot be seen, but it is present nonetheless.
The term “noise pollution” refers to unwanted or annoying sounds that happen around you. Machinery, amplified music, noisy vehicles, and other things can cause it.
Sound is measured in decibels. There are many sounds in the environment, from rustling leaves (20 to 30 decibels) to a thunderclap (120 decibels) to the wail of a siren (120 to 140 decibels). Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher can harm a person’s ears. Sound sources that exceed this threshold include familiar things, such as power lawn mowers (90 decibels), subway trains (90 to 115 decibels), and loud rock concerts (110 to 120 decibels).
Noise pollution impacts millions of people on a daily basis. The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress. These health problems can affect all age groups, especially children. Many children who live near noisy airports or streets have been found to suffer from stress and other problems, such as impairments in memory, attention level, and reading skill. Noise pollution also impacts the health and well-being of wildlife. Studies have shown that loud noises can cause caterpillars’ dorsal vessels (the insect equivalent of a heart) to beat faster, and cause bluebirds to have fewer chicks. Animals use sound for a variety of reasons, including to navigate, find food, attract mates, and avoid predators. Noise pollution makes it difficult for them to accomplish these tasks, which affects their ability survive.
If it’s loud or long-lasting, noise pollution can damage your hearing. It may also lead to other health problems, including headaches, sleep loss, and even high blood pressure. And it can stress you out, make you less productive, and decrease your quality of life.
Increasing noise is not only affecting animals on land, it is also a growing problem for those that live in the ocean. Ships, oil drills, sonar devices, and seismic tests have made the once tranquil marine environment loud and chaotic. Whales and dolphins are particularly impacted by noise pollution. These marine mammals rely on echolocation to communicate, navigate, feed, and find mates, and excess noise interferes with their ability to effectively echolocate.
Some of the loudest underwater noise comes from naval sonar devices. Sonar, like echolocation, works by sending pulses of sound down into the depths of the ocean to bounce off an object and return an echo to the ship, which indicates a location for object. Sonar sounds can be as loud as 235 decibels and travel hundreds of miles under water, interfering with whales’ ability to use echolocation. Research has shown that sonar can cause mass strandings of whales on beaches and alter the feeding behavior of endangered blue whales (Balaenopteramusculus).
Seismic surveys also produce loud blasts of sound within the ocean. Ships looking for deep-sea oil or gas deposits tow devices called air guns and shoot pulses of sound down to the ocean floor. The sound blasts can damage the ears of marine animals and cause serious injury. Scientists believe this noise may also be contributing to the altered behavior of whales.
Among those researching the effects of noise pollution is Michel Andre, a bioacoustics researcher in Spain who is recording ocean sounds using instruments called hydrophones. His project, LIDO (Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment), collects data at 22 different locations. Back in the lab, computers identify the sounds of human activities as well as 26 species of whales and dolphins. The analysis aims to determine the effects that underwater noise is having on these animals. Andre hopes his project will find ways to protect marine animals from the dangers of ocean noise.
When you hear loud sounds, a series of reactions occurs in your body. This is called the arousal response, and it can affect many different parts of your body.
Your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate go up. Your digestion slows down. Your blood vessels tighten and your muscles tense. Together, these changes make you feel alert and ready to respond to a threat, even if you’re not in any danger.
If noise pollution affects a person’s hearing or mental health, and methods to lower noise are not effective, speaking with a doctor can help.Depending on how noise impacts someone, they may benefit from consulting with a hearing or sleep specialist. A therapist can also help teach coping mechanisms.
For children exposed to frequent or loud noise, it is important to monitor for signs of hearing loss. Regular checkups and hearing tests can help determine if there is any damage.Sometimes, hypersensitivity to noise can be a symptom of other conditions, such as hyperacusis. A doctor can diagnose this.
A person could also try reporting excessive noise to their local authority if it breaches legal limits. This could include noise pollution from outdoor events, venues, construction sites, or businesses.
Noise pollution significantly impacts public health. Research suggests it can raise stress, affect mental health, and contribute to developing health issues such as high blood pressure.
Direct exposure to loud or persistent noise can also lead to hearing impairment. Children are particularly vulnerable to the negative health effects of noise pollution.It may be possible to reduce levels of noise in the home, school, or workplace with simple changes, such as soundproofing and turning off devices.
(The author can be mailed at m.hanief@gmail.com)